John E. S. Pankhurst

John E. S. Pankhurst, the great great grandson of James Sinclair Beckham of Bell & Beckham, has kindly shared his annotated transcription of the firm's catalogue with readers of the Victorian Web. Spelling and details are as listed in the catalogue and notes and expanded names of buildings in brackets are by the author. Asterisks denote Mr. Pankhurt has relevant correspondence. The material below precedes the list:

American Church of the Holy Trinity, Paris [American Cathedral, 23 Avenue George V, 75008 Paris, France]

The whole of the windows in the Church. The biggest collection of Bell & Beckham stained glass – see ‘American Cathedral Of The Holy Trinity: Key To Stained Glass Windows’ for description of subject matter. Notes of Church records held which gives details of dealings with Bell & Beckham.

Large two-light windows – Subjects from the Greek, Mediaeval and Modern Poets

The windows are no longer in place – relocated or destroyed?
Copy of college guide 1931 held, which has black and white photographs of the windows - Bell & Beckham credited. The windows are actually of three lights – see ‘Bell & Beckham articles‘ for full description of subject matter.

Three Lancet lights – The Crucifixion and Emblems of the Four Evangelists

Decoration of Chancel wall

The church warden advised that the windows were installed in 1881 – the decoration of the Chancel is no longer visible and painted over several times.
“It Is Finished”

Heath Church, Chesterfield [All Saints Church, Heath, Derbyshire]

Two lights – Figures of David and Solomon

Belfry window – Restoration of Old Glass

“In my trouble I have prepared for the house of The Lord and thou mayest add thereto arise and be doing and the Lord be with them In loving memory of Septimus Naylor who departed this life July 8th 1868 aged 74 years”

“I have chosen and sanctified this house that my name may be there for ever and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually In loving memory of Mary Naylor who departed this life August 11th 1889 aged 88 years”

Correspondence with Church – ‘the only Victorian stained glass is in the North aisle.’
There is only one two light window in the North aisle – male and female subjects – possible Saints, but does not look like the work of Bell and Beckham.

St Mary’s Church, Chartham [The Green, Chartham, Kent, CT4 7JW]

East window – Figures of Saints etc

The East window in place (2007) is of four lights depicting scenes from Jesus’ life: The Annunciation – The Nativity – Adoration of the Shepherds – Adoration of the Magi: installed in the late 1890’s the window does not look like the work of Bell & Beckham.

The Convent has now been converted into private housing. There are eight large windows in the Chapel – four in the North wall and four in the South wall. The window in the sanctuary is three lights: St Margaret – B V Mary – Jesus.

ST. MARGARET’S, KINGSLAND, PLYMOUTH
Two lights – The Annunciation and Nativity
Correspondence held – unable to identify the Church or Kingsland

ST. MICHAEL’S CHURCH, PORTSMOUTH
Two lights – The Annunciation
Two sixfoils – SS. Peter and John
The Church was destroyed by bombs in World War II.

St Augustine of Canterbury, 117 Queen’s Gate, London, SW7 5LW
See ‘Bell & Beckham articles’ – Bell & Beckham credited for North or South aisle tile paintings. I am certain that the firm were responsible for the North aisle tiles (due to art work etc).
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden: Noah and his family offering thanks after their rescue in the Ark: The Tower of Bable: Abraham preparing to sacrifice his son Isaac: Moses striking water from a rock during the wanderings in the wilderness: Moses rescuing the Israelites from a plague of serpents: The Queen of Sheba bringing greetings to King Solomon: John the Baptist preparing for the Coming of Jesus.
The Transfiguration is no longer visible – see ‘Bell & Beckham articles’
Not listed in the firm’s catalogue: stained glass window – Solomon and Sheba (two lights - BSMGP Journal 1996 p29).

The East window is St Paul (see also: Church stained glass windows recorded by Robert Eberhard)

South aisle windows no longer in place.

St Paul’s Church, Kensington [Onslow Square, London SW7]

Four-light Baptistry window – Figures of Saints

Correspondence held

St Paul’s Church, Worcester [St Paul’s Street, Worcester, WR1 2BH]*

Decoration of Pulpit

St John The Evangelist, Sidcup [Church Road, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 6BX]*

Single light – The Nativity

The window is in the Lady Chapel – The Church guide describes it as ‘Jesus in the manger’. Three other windows in the Lady Chapel are probably the work of Bell & Beckham. Robert Eberhard (Church Stained Glass Windows) ‘….it was obvious all the Sch windows were by the same firm…….the catalogue did not have a page 13, on which I am sure the other windows would be listed….Nativity – Flight into Egypt – Holy Family – Christ and Doctors.

St. Barnabas Church, Rotherhithe

The church was declared redundant. It was then used as boys' club. It was subject to a demolition order in 1966 but the marriage register continued to 1975, so the actual demolition date is unknown although correspondence on file suggests it had gone by 1969.

Copy held of ‘Stained Glass Windows In Eastbourne College Chapel 1990’. The two single light windows are probably St. Stephen & St. Paul.
The college website has a picture showing decoration of the Chapel walls – visit needed